The natives of Larga community revamped the old agri-food market into a modern trading point for the Northern region of the country

Today the Larga market has opened its doors. It features a meat and dairy department and a fruit and veggie hall, as well as about 50 stalls. The total budget of the renovation project was 555,387 MDL. The contribution of the natives was 85,500 MDL, of the Swiss Government - 387,687 MDL and of Larga local public administration – 65,000 MDL.

“People from 3 neighbouring villages will enjoy better conditions in the Larga market. We have the only business incubator in a rural area here, and the market renovation will drive further local economic development and creation of new jobs”, notes Radu Urechian, the mayor of Larga.

Besides the renovated market, and with UNDP Moldova support, the Larga local administration launched the site www.agro-bazar.md, which offers online shopping possibilities of local produce.

“This very first example of cooperation with local authorities have proven that with mutual efforts, the residents may achieve concrete goals in developing their native village. We have already set our eyes on other local projects we intend to develop in partnership with the Mayoralty. These are an absolute necessity for the inhabitants of the community”, said Adrian Gheorghita, President of Natives Association of Larga.

The renovation of Larga market is one of the 23 projects implemented in 18 villages and 5 towns of the country, which is the reason why more than 200,000 people enjoy better street lighting, household waste disposal and entertainment, etc.

“We have launched these beautiful projects within the ‘Improve your HOME with love’ Campaign. We are happy that local administrations and migrants have succeeded to build a cooperation that has resulted in better services. Together we proved that life in Moldovan communities can be changed even from afar. But the most important thing is the desire to get involved and change things”, said Olesea Cazacu, Migration and Local Development Project Manager.

The implementation budget of the 23 projects was 792,600 USD including 118,600 USD donated by the migrants through the crowdfunding platform Guvern24, 214,000 USD provided by local authorities, and 460,000 USD granted by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation through Migration and Local Development Project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in Moldova.

The Migration and Local Development Project started in 25 partner communities in 2015, and other 15 communities were selected last summer for the second phase of the project.